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Campaign finance is a key issue for the quality of democracy. As we noted in a recently-published book, it is important because of the inescapable fact that while democracy has no price, it does have an operating cost. The use of economic resources is an essential element for democratic competition.

Campaign finance is a key issue for the quality of democracy. As we noted in a recently-published book, it is important because of the inescapable fact that while democracy has no price, it does have an operating cost. The use of economic resources is an essential element for democratic competition.

In the recently-released Democracy Index of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Latin America’s performance is worrisome. Just one country, Uruguay, is classified as a “full democracy”. Costa Rica falls into the category of “flawed democracy”, which also includes Mexico and Brazil, both of which dropped since the last ranking.

On Thursday, 11 February, the book “The Cost of Democracy: Essays on Political Finance in Latin America”was presented in the Hall of Ex-presidents of the Congress of Costa Rica. The event was organized by the President of the Congress, Rafael Ortiz Fábrega, together with International IDEA, and the Inter-American Dialogue.

Indonesia began its democratic transition in 1998 after mass protests ousted General Suharto. The first direct presidential elections were held in 2004 and the country passed a decentralization act in 2001 gradually shifting the power from national to local level.

On Friday 22 January, while protesters demonstrated against the electoral process in Haiti, the Electoral Council cancelled run-off election, initially scheduled for Sunday. Despite the suspension of the process, violent protests calling for President Michel Martelly’s resignation continue. On Sunday, both supporters of Martelly and supporters of the opposition have demonstrated in the capital of Port-au-Prince and in other parts of the country.

Despite a contested electoral process, the 92 deputies and 14 senators elected in October last year were sworn in on 10 January. While taking office was initially scheduled on 11 January, as prescribed by the Haitian Constitution, President Michel Martelly decided to move the opening of parliament one day earlier than announced to avoid demonstrations that could lead to violence.

If from a global perspective 2015 was a difficult year in economic terms and a complex year politically – terrorist attacks by the Islamic State, massive migration flows, geopolitical tensions, war in Syria and populism on the rise in the United States and Europe – 2016 is unlikely to be much better. In terms of the economy, internationally and in Latin America, the slow growth is expected to continue with a mix of possible outcomes.

Over the past two decades, the Organization of American States has built a strong mandate and developed a wide range of mechanisms for building peace and supporting inclusive and sustainable democratic processes in the Americas.

The OAS of the 21st century should continue to play an active role in strengthening democratic governance in the region.

¿Qué papel cumplen las mujeres en los partidos políticos y hasta qué punto son representados sus intereses y promovidos sus liderazgos en condiciones de igualdad con los hombres?

Ce manuel sur la budgétisation sensible au genre (BSG), réalisé par IDEA international avec l’appui du ministère des Affaires étrangères de Norvège, entend contribuer à la réduction des inégalités entre les sexes en Haïti.

La BSG est un outil d’analyse budgétaire qui facilite la prise en compte des besoins différenciés des femmes et des hommes dans l’élaboration du budget national.

Almost two months after the first round of the presidential election held on 25 October 2015, the CEP eventually announced that the runoff election, initially scheduled to take place on 27 December 2015, is postponed sine die.

Varios años de auge exportador impulsaron el crecimiento económico, contribuyeron a la continua reducción de la pobreza y a la expansión de los servicios sociales. Ello hacía presagiar, hasta hace no mucho tiempo, que este decenio sería “la década” de América Latina.

In their follow-up report presented on 3 December, International IDEA and UCAB regret that the recommendations presented by the Study Mission at the beginning of the campaign, aimed at overcoming the weaknesses in the system and the electoral process, have not been heeded.

Launching of a vigorous campaign to publicize voting secrecy, guaranteeing effective conditions of fairness for all political organizations, strengthening international observation and lifting the state of emergency in place in border states, are the main recommendations in the Study Mission’s proposal to Venezuelan government authorities.

Esta investigación presenta un diagnóstico sobre la situación de las mujeres en el interior de los partidos políticos en América Latina.